AERB curbs set to bring varsity's N- research to a screeching halt

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board's (AERB) order that Delhi University should suspend all activities involving the use of radioactive substances will severely affect atomic and nuclear research in the university.

Several departments such as physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, molecular biology and genetics use radioactive materials for research and advanced studies.

"The AERB diktat will hamper research process in the university," senior science professor at the university said.

"Researchers will have to pay the price of the chemistry department's goof- up," he added.

The university's research scholars also hit the panic button after the AERB announced that if DU's chemistry department is found guilty of callously auctioning the gamma irradiator (which was responsible for the radiation leak), it would cancel the university's licence to deal with radioactive substances. If that happens, research activities in the campus will be badly hit.

Chemistry professors on Friday spoke out against the AERB's order, saying even if there was a mistake on DU's part, research shouldn't be stopped.

Dr S. V. Eswaran, head of chemistry department at St Stephen's College, said: "We don't have a choice, the world is moving. The university may have made a mistake, but officials should be careful before taking such a stand." Another DU professor said, "The university had started a threeyear M. Tech. programme in nuclear science to generate trained manpower for the upcoming nuclear reactors in the country. But all this will suffer if the licence is cancelled."

Eswaran did not undermine the importance of safe disposal of dangerous substances. "Radioactive materials are used in a small quantity but the university must dispose of them properly." He also reiterated the importance of following safety measures while dealing with hazardous substances.

"For instance, one must wear a protective leather jacket, even if it is hot. I have seen many hospitals using such materials for treatment and diagnosis of various diseases. We can't prevent them from using the elements, but we can encourage them to follow the safety procedures," he added.

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